<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/gianni-infantino/">Gianni Infantino</a>‘s grip on the FIFA presidency has been severely shaken since the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup amid mounting controversy surrounding a proposed private equity deal. With several European federations rescinding their backing, three prominent Argentine figures, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/javier-zanetti/">Javier “Pupi” Zanetti</a>, Esteban Cambiasso, and Javier Pastore, have offered Infantino a high-profile show of support ahead of the upcoming FIFA presidential election.



The proposal to establish a subsidiary entity known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) to manage media and commercial rights for premier <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/fifa/">FIFA</a> competitions, while selling an equity stake to private investors, drew immediate pushback from member associations. Numerous governing bodies, led by UEFA members such as England and Ireland, have already withdrawn their support for Infantino while publicly calling for structural leadership reform at FIFA.



Facing an increasingly hostile political environment marked by high-level executive departures, including the dismissal of FIFA chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, Infantino received some crucial breathing room from prominent alumni. Via their respective Instagram accounts, Zanetti, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/esteban-cambiasso/">Cambiasso</a>, and Pastore posted a unified statement endorsing the sitting FIFA president:



“Over the last decade, we have witnessed the commitment of FIFA and President Infantino to ensuring player representation in the football world, something that previously did not exist. Current and former players have had a voice and an active role in our sport through their participation in committees, projects, and working groups. Our opinions are heard, and many initiatives that benefit football are taking shape thanks to our contributions, ideas, plans, and active participation.“



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1176" height="2048" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/08/25212921/javier-zanetti-card-1176x2048.webp" alt="Javier Zanetti&apos;s endorsement card to Gianni Infantino." class="wp-image-672680"><figcaption>Javier Zanetti’s endorsement letter to Gianni Infantino. (@javierzanetti)</figcaption></figure>



“We have seen firsthand how football can transform lives, improve societies, and increase opportunities for everyone globally; we are committed to continuing to bring this hope to people. We will continue to support the remarkable evolution that has characterized our sport over the past decade, so that it can continue to reach and benefit people in every country where football is played around the world,” read the statement published by Zanetti.


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Zanetti, currently serving as vice president of Inter Milan, also holds the position of vice president on the FIFA Social Responsibility Committee for the 2025-29 term, while Cambiasso serves on the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG). <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/javier-pastore/">Pastore</a> remains the only member of the trio without an official FIFA appointment, operating through his agency, The Elegant Game, which represents high-profile talent such as Enzo Fernandez.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/08/25215512/javier-zanetti-gianni-infantino-1920x1080.webp" alt="Javier Zanetti of FIFA Legends blue team lifts the trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino." class="wp-image-672692"><figcaption>Javier Zanetti of FIFA Legends blue team lifts the trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Legends divided over Infantino’s leadership</h2>



Zanetti, Cambiasso, and Pastore were prominent figures throughout the 2026 World Cup in North America, featuring regularly in luxury suites as official guests for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a> games. Their public endorsement of Infantino stands in sharp contrast to another open letter endorsed by an opposing group of legendary players who joined national federations in voicing discontent with FIFA’s current direction.



Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre served as a central voice in that pushback, issuing a critical statement regarding FIFA’s executive governance on X on Monday: “For too long we’ve seen major decisions taken without players being consulted or considered, and without any regard for the fans who sustain the sport. Change is necessary. Power has blurred the current leadership’s ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football. Enough is enough,” part of the statement read.



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Enough is Enough ! <a href="https://t.co/86YKFQbCZx">pic.twitter.com/86YKFQbCZx</a>— Mikael Silvestre (@IamMSilvestre) <a href="https://x.com/IamMSilvestre/status/2091893184343245133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Silvestre, a member of FIFA’s Player Voice Panel, saw his statement amplified across social media by numerous retired stars. Among the notable figures backing the critique were England Lionesses defender Lucy Bronze, former goalkeeper David James, Emmanuel Petit, Didier Drogba, Robert Pires, Claudio Pizarro, Emmanuel Adebayor, and former Argentine international Juan Sebastian Veron.

Gianni Infantino sees support grow as Argentina icons Zanetti, Cambiasso and Pastore back him ahead of FIFA election

Gianni Infantino sees support grow as Argentina icons Zanetti, Cambiasso and Pastore back him ahead of FIFA election - World Soccer Talk

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<div style="float: right;margin-left: 5px"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/roma-supporters-wave-flags/image/10265948?term=Champions+League" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright" style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/10265948/roma-supporters-wave-flags/roma-supporters-wave-flags.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=10265948" border="0" alt="AS Roma&apos;s supporters wave flags before their Champions League soccer match against Bayern Munich at the Olympic stadium in Rome November 23, 2010. REUTERS/Max Rossi (ITALY - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)" width="300" height="200"></figure></div></a></div>
Finally some positive news for Serie A and Italian football in general, this midweek, while some sides played in the Coppa Italia, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Roma played and won in the Champions League. It was the penultimate matchday of the group stages, and although Roma haven’t mathematically qualified yet, AC Milan have mathematically qualified in second place (behind Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid), and Inter Milan have mathematically qualified, and they have a chance to fight for first place in the group with Tottenham Hotspur. All we can hope for now is that Roma manage to qualify for the knockout round, Inter qualify in first place, and that the Italian teams in the Europa League do just as well.
Roma defeated Bayern Munich at the Stadio Olimpico 3-2, in a fantastic comeback. The giallorossi went two down after some defensive mistakes, allowing Gomez to net a double in the first half, but they picked it up in the second half. Borriello clinically finished from the ground to give Roma some hope, and then De Rossi netted a goal to tie up the score at 2-2. Then in the 84th minute Roma were awarded a penalty, and the legendary captain Francesco stepped up and put it barely past Kraft’s fingertips, for an epic winner.
But Ranieri’s side hasn’t qualified yet, next matchday they’ll travel to Romania and face CFR Cluj while Bayern Munich faces FC Basel at home. All that Roma need to do to qualify is either get a draw or a win against Cluj, and that way they’ve mathematically qualified along with Bayern to the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
<div style="float: left;margin-right: 5px"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/milan-ibrahimovic-reacts/image/10266140?term=AC+Milan" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft" style="border: 0px initial initial" src="http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/10266140/milan-ibrahimovic-reacts/milan-ibrahimovic-reacts.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=10266140" border="0" alt="AC Milan&apos;s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) reacts with team-mate Ignazio Abate after opening the score in their Champions League Group G soccer match against AJ Auxerre at Abbe Deschamps stadium in Auxerre November 23, 2010. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)" width="300" height="200"></figure></div></a></div>
AC Milan on the other hand have mathematically qualified after their 2-0 win away against Auxerre. Zlatan Ibrahimovic who provided another wonderful goal, a first time rocket which flew into the back of the French side’s net. Ronaldinho scored the second in the final minutes of the match, the Brazilian waltzed through the penalty box before he finally slipped a curling ball onto the far post and in.
With this win AC Milan have qualified for the next round, and the result of their next fixture against Ajax doesn’t really matter. It’s just a shame that Allegri’s side was unable to challenge Real Madrid for first place in the group, but as long as they do well in the knockout stages, I’m sure rossoneri fans won’t mind that much.
The match which took place today was at the San Siro, Inter Milan vs. Twente. It ended 1-0 for Rafa Benitez’s side which finally seems to have played some decent attacking football. Inter still had to play a relatively weakened side due to the&nbsp;injuries&nbsp;which have been plaguing the side for quite some time now, but they pressed Twente high up the field and created many opportunities to score. It was Esteban Cambiasso who scored the goal, Sneijder had a free kick deflected, and the ball fell perfectly for the Argentine to volley into the back of the net. This performance certainly showed signs of revival from a side which looked lifeless these past few weeks in the Serie A. We’ll just have to see if Benitez can continue to get this motivation from his players this weekend against Parma.
Right now Inter Milan and Tottenham are tied at the top of the group with 10 points, and it’s the English side which is ahead with a goal difference of +7, while Inter’s is just +4. Both Inter and Tottenham are travelling away next Champions League matchday, Inter will face Werder Bremen while Tottenham face Twente, and it seems like Inter have an easier match to win against the German team which only has two points and is at the bottom of the group table. So can Benitez inspire his men again enough to get a win, and hopefully steal the first place from Tottenham? I don’t think so, and in my opinion Inter will finish second, but make sure to share your thoughts by commenting below!
A great display from all three Italian sides, and hopefully this season not only will we have three teams in the knockout stages, but maybe more than just one of them will progress! What are your thoughts regarding the Champions League games? Comment below!

All Italian Sides Win In Champions League

All Italian Sides Win In Champions League - World Soccer Talk

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Gianni Infantino sees support grow as Argentina icons Zanetti, Cambiasso and Pastore back him ahead of FIFA election

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All Italian Sides Win In Champions League